AI Damage1998 Cadillac Eldorado: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and fuel system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 38
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 21% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 11% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (21% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 8 complaints (21% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Equipment: 4 complaints (11% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 38 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The transmission can be taken out of park while the steering wheel is still locked.
Vehicle has experienced continued engine failure (shut down)on one occasion while driving 40 mph accident occurred due to engine shut down (brake,steering loss),violent deployment of air bag resulted in injuries. Yh
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 cadillac eldorado. When the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the technician stated that the plastic fuel rail was leaking. The failure occurred without warning. The dealer was not contacted.
Strong gasoline fumes noted when vehicle is parked in garage overnight
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 cadillac eldorado. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he smelled a strong fuel odor. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that fuel was leaking from one of the fuel lines. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or to be repaired.
Tl contact owns a 1998 cadillac eldorado. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel on the ground. She also smelled a strong odor of gasoline outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection.
Two tires continue to lose air. I finally went to replace the tires and the service center said that the rim was leaking and had to be replaced. That there was a hole in the rim from oxidation. The chrome was peeling off of 2 of the rims.
Starting with dic message of "low coolant", I have experienced an engine overheating problem. After the cadillac dealer in durango colorado was unable to find a problem ( replaced hoses, water pump), my mechanic (in albuquerque)found a cracked head that was leaking coolant internaly.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 6,094 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Eldorado has 21 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 38, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
- Eldorado 19823 sources
- Eldorado 19834 sources
- Eldorado 19847 sources
- Eldorado 198510 sources
- Eldorado 198612 sources
- Eldorado 19877 sources
- Eldorado 19889 sources
- Eldorado 19898 sources
- Eldorado 199025 sources
- Eldorado 19919 sources
- Eldorado 199225 sources
- Eldorado 199335 sources
- Eldorado 199435 sources
- Eldorado 199554 sources
- Eldorado 199660 sources
- Eldorado 199759 sources
- Eldorado 199923 sources
- Eldorado 200030 sources
- Eldorado 200124 sources
- Eldorado 200210 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, fuel system, electrical system. Total complaints: 38. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (8%), stalls while driving (5%), brake failure (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Cadillac Eldorado?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Cadillac Eldorado from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.